Director, Alumni and Industry Engagement
About The Position
ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Director, Alumni and Industry Engagement to join our team. About ArtCenter Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Advancement, the Director, Alumni and Industry Engagement is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage alumni and industry partners in meaningful ways that support the mission and goals of ArtCenter College of Design. This role fosters lifelong relationships between the College, its alumni, and industry stakeholders through events, communications, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising initiatives. A well-defined understanding of data, engagement trends, and relationship management is necessary to ensure the growth of alumni and industry participation and philanthropic support. The incumbent serves as a key ambassador for the College, promoting pride, collaboration, and engagement across alumni and industry networks. This position manages the Alumni and Industry Engagement team: the Associate Director, Alumni and Industry Engagement and the Coordinator, Alumni and Industry Engagement Together they will work in close partnership with the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships to advance industry engagement initiatives, and with the Executive Director, Annual Giving and Development Communications to strengthen alumni engagement and philanthropic outreach. This is a full-time position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed hybrid with the expectation of at least 3 days in the office or required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings as well as travel. The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience
- At least 5 years of experience in alumni relations, industry partnerships, advancement, or related fields
- At least 3 years in leading and managing a department, including budgeting, project management, performance management
- Strategic thinker with creative problem-solving skills
- Ability to create and execute SMART goals using qualitative and quantitative data
- Collaborative team player with leadership experience
- Familiarity with trends in alumni relations, industry engagement, and advancement
- Ability to maintain good working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders related to the ongoing operations of the department, including professional associates, donors, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Experience with event planning, volunteer management, and digital communications
- Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to travel and work occasional evenings/weekends
- Demonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment
- Ability to enforce and implement policies and procedures
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in higher education administration, marketing, public relations, or business administration
- Prior experience in higher education or industry partnership development
Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning and Leadership
- Alumni and Industry Engagement
- Communications and Marketing
- Fundraising and Stewardship
- Data and Reporting
- Marginal Duties
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
